Golf-training balance board

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method for a user to practice a golf swing. The method includes: (a) standing on a balance board; and (b) performing at least a portion of the golf swing while standing on the balance board. If the user performs the portion of the golf swing while maintaining the user&#39;s front-to-rear weight distribution within a threshold range, then the balance board maintains a balanced orientation. If the user performs the portion of the golf swing without maintaining the user&#39;s front-to-rear weight distribution within the threshold range, then the balance board tilts either forward or rearward to indicate to the user that the user&#39;s front-to-rear weight distribution is outside the threshold range. Other embodiments include balance boards for golf training.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.provisional application No. 60/831,771, filed on Jul. 19, 2006, theteachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the game of golf, and, in particular,to a device for training a golfer in the correct technique for swinginga golf club.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the game of golf, the most direct influence upon a golfer's score isthe golfer's ability to strike a golf ball with accuracy, both in termsof distance and direction. A golfer's ability to strike a golf ball withaccuracy can be improved by correcting the golfer's swing. An importantpart of mastering the game of golf is learning how to swing the golfclubs properly. Each swing can be described as having five phases:address, backswing, downswing, impact, and follow-through.

Elements of a proper swing include (i) swinging the club so that theclub head travels in a proper arc during the backswing and on thedownswing and (ii) holding the club at a proper angle during the swing.Swinging the club head in the proper swing arc causes a struck golf ballto fly in the desired direction and path. With an improper arc, thegolfer may produce a golf shot with an uncontrolled hook or slice,causing the ball to travel in an unintended direction.

Watching the flight of the golf ball after striking the ball providesvisual feedback to the golfer as to whether his or her golf swing isproper, but the feedback is not specific to a particular element orphase of the swing. An improper flight may result from an improperstance while striking the golf ball, from holding the club at animproper angle, from an improper swing plane, from an improperbackswing, and/or from a number of other causes. Without specificfeedback, a golfer might not be able to make the proper correction tohis or her swing technique. Moreover, striking a golf ball requires thegolfer to focus visually on the ball, using hand-eye coordination todirect the club at the ball. Because the focus of the golfer is fixedexclusively on the ball, the golfer cannot readily observe the plane ofhis golf swing or the angle of his golf club while striking a golf ball.

Developing a proper swing technique requires repetitive practice so thatthe golfer develops a feel for a correctly-aligned swing. It isimportant that the elements of the golfer's swing be performed correctlyduring practice so that the feel developed during practice can becorrelated with a proper swing, rather than a faulty swing. The playerwill then seek to generate the same feel when later playing an actualgame of golf.

Many different golf-swing training devices, systems, and methods havebeen proposed in the art. For example, some devices include wrist guidesor straps that are configured to be positioned on or attached to thehand or arm of a golfer and are designed to prevent the wrist frommoving forward relative to the forearm during the swing. Such devicesoften prevent the user from freely hinging the wrist on the backswingand limit the ability for a golfer to practice a full, correct swing.

Other training devices focus on proper ball position in relation to aplayer's stance and include mats, measuring sticks, and/or aiming rodswith various alignment or guide markings and/or lines thereon. Suchdevices are relatively bulky and often difficult to set up andtransport, and many are impractical for use on a golf course.Furthermore, the markings or lines typically rely on the user's visualacuity for alignment to set up a swing initially and provide no feedbackduring or after the swing to indicate proper compliance.

Some prior-art golf-training systems provide a series of stripesdisposed on a pair of golf shoes, whereby a golfer brings his or herfeet close together so that the stripes on the left shoe are alignedwith the stripes on the right shoe. However, the reference linesprovided on such shoes provide only an alignment line that is as long asthe width of the golfer's shoes. Thus, such alignment markings do notprovide an overly accurate or helpful reference line for aligning thegolfer with the target (e.g., the hole), and such markings still rely ona user's own visual acuity for alignment.

More-complex training systems exist, some of which monitor a player'smovement when swinging a club. For example, some systems include aplatform housing a tee manipulation mechanism which includes a pluralityof transmitters for transmitting infrared beams along predeterminedpaths defining a three-dimensional space within the platform. The beamsare positioned so that improper club or body position may be sensed bythe system. The information may trigger a status light board, or it maybe processed by a microprocessor for detailed computerized analysis ofthe golfer's swing. Some such systems also include a video camera foradditional analysis of the golfer's form. Other systems include a lasersource coupled to an optics system remote from a player. A line of lightis produced which is then aligned with the target path. The playerstands between the system and the target and aligns the ball and clubusing the line of light. While such systems may provide feedback for agolfer, they are complicated and expensive and cannot be readily used ona golf course.

Some systems include devices that are removably affixed to the player'sclothes. One such device projects outwardly from the golfer a laser beamaligned with lines marked on a mat. Other such devices emit a laser beamtoward the target. However, such devices are often inaccurate becausethey fail to provide a consistent reference line for the golfer. Theorientation of the reference will change if the device is affixed todifferent positions on the golfer's clothes. Even if the device isaffixed in the same position on the golfer's clothes each time, clothingsuch as pants and shirts typically move and flex as the golfer moves ordue to environmental conditions such as wind. As such, the referenceline emitted from the laser device tends to move as the golfer and hisor her clothes move. Moreover, as discussed above, systems requiring amat are bulky and impractical for use on a course, and all of theselaser systems still rely on a user's own visual acuity for alignment.

Some golf-swing training systems include laser devices that are mountedover the club head or are integral with the club head, whereby thedevice projects a laser beam perpendicular to the striking face, suchthat the beam is aligned with the target. However, the beam tends tomove as the club head moves. Such devices are inaccurate not onlybecause of the movement of the club head, but also because, if thegolfer is not properly gripping the club, then the reference linecreated by the beam will not be accurate. For example, if the club faceis open, the beam will not be correctly aligned with the target.

Other laser-based systems provide a laser device that attaches to theplayer, such as on a golfer's hat, so that the laser beam is directed toa point on the ground in front of the golfer's feet. The beam is pointedat the ball or a reference point on the ground. Such devices attempt toaid the golfer in keeping his or her head down throughout the swing byproviding the golfer a reference point on which to focus during theswing. However, such systems typically fail to provide a reference linefor aligning the target. In addition, any movement of the golfer's headwill change the position of the reference point. The golfer creates thereference point by simply positioning his or her head or moving thelaser device. However, no guidance is provided as to whether the correctreference point is being created, whether the golfer is aligned with thetarget, or whether the golfer is maintaining a proper stance.

Other swing-training devices attempt to direct a golf club by means of aphysical guide that actually has contact with the golf club, and someinvolve only a portion of the entire golf swing, e.g., only thefollow-through, or only a bottom portion of the downswing. Some devicesconcentrate on the backswing and follow-through motions, but withoutproviding any feedback indicating when a swing is off-plane. In order towork correctly, many of these devices must be set up by an instructor orother individual very knowledgeable in the game, with a few evenrequiring that stakes be driven into the ground to secure the device.

Another disadvantage of many of the aforementioned devices is that suchdevices are designed for only right-handed golfers and cannot properlybe used for left-handed golf swings.

Most disadvantageous, however, is the fact that none of theaforementioned devices enables or assists the golfer to develop andrecognize the proper feel of a correctly-aligned swing and insteadtypically rely on the golfer's own visual acuity to provide feedback asto the correctness of the swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf-training balance board consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention provides a surface on which a golfer stands and balances whileswinging a club in a usual manner. The balance board is elongated toprovide sufficient longitudinal support for a golfer bringing his or herclub rearward into a correct position for a backswing, then all the waythrough the downswing and follow-through portions of the swing in acorrect position. The balance board remains stable while the golfer iscorrectly balanced. If the golfer shifts his or her weight too farforward or rearward, the board tips forward or rearward, providinginstant feedback to the golfer that indicates an unbalanced swing. Whenusing the balance board with a golf ball, the board can provide feedbackto the golfer regarding the leftward or rightward direction in which theball will travel after contacting the ball, i.e., if the golfer is onhis or her toes, the golfer will be hitting a “fade” or “slice,” and ifthe golfer is on his or her heels, the golfer will be hitting a “draw”or “hook.” If the golfer remains balanced on the balance board, then thegolfer will hit a substantially straight shot.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a balance boardincluding a body generally having length, width, and thicknessdimensions, and one or more rockers extending from the bottom surface ofthe body. The thickness is substantially smaller than each of the lengthand the width. The body has top and bottom surfaces at opposite ends ofthe thickness of the body. The top surface has left and right portionsat opposing sides of the length of the body. The top surface has frontand rear portions at opposing sides of the width of the body. The bodyis supported in a balanced orientation if (a) the balance board ispositioned with the one or more rockers in contact with a substantiallyhorizontal ground surface and (b) force is applied (1) equally orunequally to the front and rear portions of the body up to aforce-differential threshold value and (2) equally or unequally to theleft and right portions of the body. The body is not supported in thebalanced orientation if (a) the balance board is placed with at leastone of the one or more rockers in contact with the substantiallyhorizontal ground surface and (b) force is applied (1) unequally to thefront and rear portions of the body greater than the force-differentialthreshold value and (2) equally or unequally to the left and rightportions of the body.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method forpracticing a golf swing by a user. The method includes: (a) standing ona balance board; and (b) performing at least a portion of the golf swingwhile standing on the balance board. If the user performs the portion ofthe golf swing while maintaining the user's front-to-rear weightdistribution within a threshold range, then the balance board maintainsa balanced orientation. If the user performs the portion of the golfswing without maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight distributionwithin the threshold range, then the balance board tilts either forwardor rearward to indicate to the user that the user's front-to-rear weightdistribution is outside the threshold range.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method forteaching a golf swing to a user. The method includes (a) having the userstand on a balance board; and (b) having the user perform at least aportion of the golf swing while standing on the balance board. If theuser performs the portion of the golf swing while maintaining the user'sfront-to-rear weight distribution within a threshold range, then thebalance board maintains a balanced orientation. If the user performs theportion of the golf swing without maintaining the user's front-to-rearweight distribution within the threshold range, then the balance boardtilts either forward or rearward to indicate to the user that the user'sfront-to-rear weight distribution is outside the threshold range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following detailed description, theappended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which like referencenumerals identify similar or identical elements.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a golf-training balance boardconsistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are bottom perspective views of the golf-training balanceboard of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the golf-training balance board ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a user standing on thegolf-training balance board of FIG. 1, with the balance board resting ona ground surface in a balanced position;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a user standing on thegolf-training balance board of FIG. 1, with the user beginning to leanor otherwise shift the user's weight forward;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a user standing on thegolf-training balance board of FIG. 1, with the user continuing to leanor otherwise shift the user's weight forward;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a user standing on thegolf-training balance board of FIG. 1, with the user leaning orotherwise shifting the user's weight rearward;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a user using the golf-training balanceboard of FIG. 1 at the address phase of the golf swing;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a user using the golf-training balanceboard of FIG. 1 at the follow-through phase of the golf swing;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a golf-training balance boardconsistent with a first alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a golf-training balance boardconsistent with a second alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a golf-training balance boardconsistent with a third alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of a golf-training balance boardconsistent with a fourth alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of a golf-training balance boardconsistent with a fifth alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of a golf-training balance boardconsistent with a sixth alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of a golf-training balance boardconsistent with a fifth alternative embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating weight distribution for a golf-trainingbalance board consistent with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate views of an exemplary golf-training balance board100 consistent with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of balance board 100. Asshown, balance board 100 includes a body 111 that has an elongated,generally planar upper surface 101 adjacent to a pair of opposingelongated parallel planar sides 102 and a pair of opposing arcuateconvex sides 103. Upper surface 101 has a modified rectangular profiledefined by the interface between (i) upper surface 101 and (ii) bothplanar sides 102 and convex sides 103.

Upper surface 101 of body 111 also has a plurality of grooves 104 formedtherein, over the majority of upper surface 101, defining a pair ofnon-slip regions 105 on which a user stands while using balance board100, with one foot in each of non-slip regions 105. As shown, eachnon-slip region 105 includes two sets of parallel grooves 104, each setof grooves 104 formed in a different orientation. Thus, when a userstands on balance board 100 with the user's shoes contacting non-slipregions 105, grooves 104 of two different directions abut each of theuser's shoes, to provide additional non-slip functionality.

Body 111 also has an aperture defining a carrying handle 106 formedtherein, near one of elongated parallel planar sides 102.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate bottom perspective views of balance board 100,and FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of balance board 100. As shown, body111 has a lower surface 107 having substantially the same modifiedrectangular profile as that of upper surface 101, since the profile oflower surface 107 is defined by the interface between (i) lower surface107 and (ii) both planar sides 102 and convex sides 103. Lower surface107 has a plurality of recesses 108 formed therein and arranged tomaintain sufficient structural support for balance board 100, whilereducing the overall weight of balance board 100 to facilitateportability and reduce manufacturing cost. Lower surface 107 also has apair of parallel elongated rockers 109 formed thereon, which protrudefrom lower surface 107 near a central portion thereof and are arrangedto be substantially parallel to parallel planar sides 102. Each rocker109 has a curvilinear form, such as a truncated cylindrical form, with asubstantially semicircular cross-section.

In one embodiment, body 111 has a thickness of approximately 1.38inches, a width of approximately 10.83 inches at the widest portion ofbody 111, and a length of approximately 32.09 inches, and each rocker109 is approximately 29.89 inches in length, approximately 0.86 inchesin height, and approximately 2.11 inches wide, and rockers 109 arespaced approximately 0.5 inches apart from each other.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of balance board 100 restingon a ground surface 110 in a balanced position, such that both rockers109 contact ground surface 110, with a user standing on balance board100. The position of balance board 100 shown in FIG. 5 is the balancedposition that the user should attempt to maintain during use of balanceboard 100 for golf-swing training.

FIG. 6 illustrates the result of the user in FIG. 5 beginning to lean orotherwise shift the user's weight forward (i.e., towards the user'stoes). As shown, balance board 100 begins to rotate on one rocker 109 ina counter-clockwise direction, while the other rocker 109 liftscompletely off of ground surface 110, causing balance board 100 to beginto tilt forward. At this point, the user may be able to perceive thebeginning of the forward-pivoting motion of balance board 100 asfeedback, indicating that the user should shift the user's weight morerearward (i.e., towards the user's heels) to return to the balancedposition shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates the result of the user in FIG. 6 continuing to leanor otherwise shift the user's weight forward, instead of returning tothe balanced position shown in FIG. 5. As shown, balance board 100continues to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction until lower surface107 and/or planar side 102 contacts ground surface 110, which stops therotation of balance board 100. At this point, the user is able toperceive as feedback that balance board 100 has pivoted forward (and theuser's toes might even rise from and lose contact with balance board100, as shown), indicating that the user should shift the user's weightmore rearward to return to the balanced position shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates the result of the user in FIG. 5 leaning or otherwiseshifting the user's weight rearward. As shown, balance board 100 rotateson one rocker 109 in a clockwise direction, while the other rocker 109lifts completely off of ground surface 110, causing balance board 100 tobegin to tilt rearward, until lower surface 107 and/or planar side 102contacts ground surface 110, which stops the rotation of balance board100. At this point, the user is able to perceive as feedback thatbalance board 100 has pivoted rearward (and the user's heels might evenrise from and lose contact with balance board 100, as shown), indicatingthat the user should shift the user's weight more forward to return tothe balanced position shown in FIG. 5.

During golf-swing training, balance board 100 can be used during allfive phases of the swing: address, backswing, downswing, impact, andfollow-through. To begin, the user places balance board 100 on a groundsurface, such that elongated parallel planar sides 102 (and hence,rockers 109) are aligned with the target (e.g., the hole), such thatplanar sides 102 are parallel to the intended direction of travel of theball. Although the following description includes the use of a ball, itshould be recognized that balance board 100 can be used by a golfer topractice his or her swing either with or without hitting a ball. If aball is used, then the ball can be placed either on a tee or directly onthe ground. Since, due to its thickness and the height of rockers 109,balance board 100 may raise the height of the golfer slightly above theground, a golfer using balance board 100 might compensate for theadditional height, e.g., by (i) increasing the distance between the balland the ground during practice with balance board 100 (e.g., using a teeof sufficient height), (ii) decreasing the distance between the ball andthe golfer during practice with balance board 100, or (iii) recognizingthe additional height during practice with balance board 100 andcompensating manually during practice without balance board 100 orduring actual game play.

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of balance board 100 at the address phase.The user stands on balance board 100 in an ordinary stance, with theuser's club extended, to address the ball. In this stance, the user'sbody weight should be evenly distributed on both feet, and the user'sknees should be relaxed or flexed to center the user's body weight overthe user's feet. If the user's body weight is not properly centered(i.e., toe-to-heel) over the user's feet, balance board 100 will pivoteither forward or rearward to indicate to the user that an adjustmentshould be made.

For a right-hand user, during the backswing (not shown), the club isdrawn back to its highest point in the swing, and, although the user'sbody weight is shifted to the right foot, the user's weight should stillremain centered over the user's feet, rather than forward or rearward,and balance board 100 will pivot either forward or rearward to indicateto the user that an adjustment should be made in this regard.

During the downswing (not shown), the right-handed user's weight isshifted to the left foot, while the user's knees, hips, and trunk allrotate together to the left. As during the address and backswing, theuser's weight should still remain centered over the user's feet, ratherthan forward or rearward, and balance board 100 will pivot eitherforward or rearward to indicate to the user that an adjustment should bemade in this regard.

During impact with the ball, the right-handed user's wrists and handscomplete the acceleration of the club head as the club head makescontact with the ball, and the user's wrists unhinge in a whip-likemotion as the user's right hand rotates over the left after the ball ishit. During this process, although the user's body weight shifts to theleft, the user's weight should still remain centered over the user'sfeet, rather than forward or rearward, and balance board 100 will pivoteither forward or rearward to indicate to the user that an adjustmentshould be made in this regard.

FIG. 10 illustrates the use of balance board 100 during thefollow-through phase of the swing. After striking the ball, the clubgradually decelerates during the follow-through. The right-handed user'sbody rotates to the left around the spine, the user's wrists rotateabout each other to create a roll-over motion of the hands, and theuser's hips and shoulders continue to rotate until the user's body isfacing the target. During this process, the spine hyperextends, and theuser's body weight completely shifts to the left side. Once again,although the user rotates to face the target, with the user's bodyweight shifting to the left, the user's weight should still remaincentered over the user's feet, rather than forward or rearward, andbalance board 100 will pivot either forward or rearward to indicate tothe user that an adjustment should be made in this regard.

Using balance board 100, the user can choose to practice only one phaseof the swing, more than one phase, or all phases of the swing, dependingon the skill level of the user. The eventual goal of training usingbalance board 100 is for balance board 100 to remain in a balancedposition, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5, during all five phases of the swing.Once the user has properly trained using balance board 100, the userwill have developed and recognized the proper feel for a correct swing.

FIGS. 11-17 illustrate exemplary golf-training balance boards consistentwith alternative embodiments of the present invention, which employrockers having alternative numbers, configurations, curvatures, and/orcross sections.

FIG. 11 shows balance board 1100, which is similar to balance board 100(of FIG. 1), except that only a single rocker 1109 is used. In thisembodiment, maintaining a balanced position is more difficult and mayinvolve a higher skill level for the user than balance board 100,because single-rocker balance board 1100 is less stable than dual-rockerbalance board 100 and does not remain balanced as easily when resting onthe ground.

FIG. 12 shows balance board 1200, which uses a single rocker 1209 and issimilar to balance board 1100 (of FIG. 1), except that maintaining abalanced position is less difficult, because, as with balance board 100(of FIG. 1), balance board 1200 easily remains balanced by itself whenresting on the ground, due to the flat contour of the ground-contactingportion of rocker 1209.

FIG. 13 shows balance board 1300, which uses a single rocker 1309 and issimilar to balance board 1100 (of FIG. 1). In this embodiment,maintaining a balanced position is even more difficult, because balanceboard 1300 cannot remain balanced by itself when resting on the ground,and further, because the pivoting of balance board 1300 is not gradualas in the cases of balance boards 100 (of FIG. 1), 1100, and 1200 (ofFIG. 12), due to the triangular cross-section of rocker 1309.

FIG. 14 shows balance board 1400, which uses dual rockers 1409 and issimilar to balance board 100 (of FIG. 1), except that rockers 1409 havea triangular cross-section. In this embodiment, maintaining a balancedposition is of substantially the same difficulty as with balance board100, because the contact of both rockers 1409 with the ground causesbalance board 1400 to be relatively stable in a balanced position.However, once the user's weight begins to shift forward or rearward, itis more difficult for the user to return to a balanced position, becausethe pivoting of balance board 1400 is not gradual as in the cases ofbalance boards 100, 1100 (of FIG. 1), and 1200 (of FIG. 12).

FIG. 15 shows balance board 1500, which uses dual rockers 1509 and issimilar to balance board 100 (of FIG. 1), except that maintaining abalanced position may be slightly less difficult, because, balance board1500 easily remains balanced by itself when resting on the ground, dueto the flat contour of the ground-contacting portions of rocker 1509.

FIG. 16 shows balance board 1600, which is similar to balance board 100(of FIG. 1), except that balance board 1600 uses two sets of two rockers1609, instead of a single set of rockers 109. The arrangement of balanceboard 1600 reduces weight and manufacturing cost and illustrates that itis not necessary to have a single pair of elongated rockers or a singleelongated rocker spanning the length of a balance board.

FIG. 17 shows balance board 1700, which is similar to balance board 1600(of FIG. 16), except that balance board 1700 uses rockers that aregenerally cylindrical and peg-like in form, with the face of thecylinders generally parallel to body 1711. This arrangement demonstratesthat the ground-contacting surfaces of rockers in a golf-trainingbalance board consistent with embodiments of the present invention canhave a variety of different shapes, so long as there are four points ofcontact between the rocker(s) and a ground surface when weight is evenlydistributed on the board, which points define the vertices of arectilinear region of contact.

In FIG. 17, the free ends of each of the four rockers 1709 contact theground and constitute the four points of contact that define region ofcontact 1750 (shown in dashed lines). In FIG. 16, each of the fourrockers 1609 has at least one point of contact with the ground, and thefour points of contact define region of contact 1650 (although theregion of contact is not shown in FIG. 14, the four rockers 1409 definea region of contact in a similar manner to rockers 1609 of FIG. 16). InFIG. 2, each of the two rockers 109 has at least two points of contact,one at each end (i.e., the left and right ends) of the rocker, whichdefine region of contact 150 (although the region of contact is notshown in FIG. 14, the two rockers 1409 of FIG. 14 define a region ofcontact in a similar manner to rockers 109 of FIG. 2, and the same istrue for rockers 1509 of FIG. 15). In FIG. 12, the single rocker 1209has at least four points of contact that define a rectilinear region ofcontact, which is the same as the contiguous rectilinear region at whichrocker 1209 interfaces with a ground surface when in a balancedposition. It is specifically noted, however, that the term “region ofcontact” does not necessarily mean a contiguous region at which therocker(s) contact a ground surface at all locations within the region(as in FIG. 12) and can also include a region bounded by only fourpoints that actually contact the ground surface (e.g., as in FIG. 17),two lines that actually contact the ground surface (e.g., as in FIG. 2),and so forth.

When a user stands on a balance board consistent with embodiments of theinvention, the user's feet should overhang the region of contact, i.e.,the toe-to-heel distance is greater than the distance between points ofcontact along the width of the board. Thus, a balance board consistentwith embodiments of the present invention may be sized differently, andthe rockers may be located differently, to accommodate users ofdifferent foot lengths. For example, children and other golfers withshorter foot lengths may be better suited with the rockers closertogether, creating a region of contact having a reduced area.

FIG. 18 is a weight-distribution graph for a golf-training balance boardconsistent with embodiments of the present invention. The horizontalaxis represents the length of the body from left to right, and thevertical axis represents the width of the body from front to rear. If,when a user stands on the board, weight is distributed evenly along bothaxes (as represented by origin 1800 of the graph), then the board isbalanced. The board is also balanced if the user's weight is distributedfront-to-rear within a given zone of stability (represented by shadedarea 1810), regardless of how weight is distributed left-to-right.However, if the user's weight shifts forward beyond a given forwardthreshold (represented by dashed line 1820), then instability results,causing the board to tilt forward. Likewise, if the user's weight shiftsrearward beyond a given rear threshold (represented by dashed line1830), then instability results, causing the board to tilt rearward.

Thresholds 1820 and 1830 correspond with and are dependent on thelocations of the rockers on the underside of the board. Having therockers closer together along the width of the board reduces the area ofthe zone of stability, and thresholds 1820 and 1830 will be closertogether. Likewise, having the rockers farther apart along the width ofthe board increases the area of the zone of stability, and thresholds1820 and 1830 will be farther apart. In the balance boards of FIGS. 1and 11-17, stability along the length of the board, i.e., from left toright, is always maintained, since the rockers inhibit the board fromtilting left to right. This left-to-right stability is achieved byhaving the rockers disposed at or substantially near the left and rightends of the length of the board's body (e.g., at or near convex sides103 of FIG. 1). Thus, the board is stable enough for a golfer to shifthis or her weight from the golfer's left foot to the golfer's right footand vice-versa, as naturally occurs during the swinging of a club, yetthe board still permits the forward and rearward tilting that providesfeedback to the golfer if the golfer improperly leans forward orrearward so that his or her weight is shifted outside the zone ofstability.

In other words, the body of the board is supported in a balancedorientation if (a) the balance board is positioned with the (one ormore) rockers in contact with a substantially horizontal ground surfaceand (b) force is applied (1) equally or unequally to the front and rearportions of the body up to a force-differential threshold value and (2)equally or unequally to the left and right portions of the body. Thebody is not supported in the balanced orientation if (a) the balanceboard is placed with at least one of the (one or more) rockers incontact with the substantially horizontal ground surface and (b) forceis applied (1) unequally to the front and rear portions of the bodygreater than the force-differential threshold value and (2) equally orunequally to the left and right portions of the body.

A balance board consistent with embodiments of the present invention maybe sized differently, and the rockers may be located differently, toaccommodate users of different weights. For example, lighter golfers,such as some women and children, may be better suited with the rockerscloser together, creating a zone of stability having a reduced area.

A golf-training balance board consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention is desirably constructed of a rigid material that canwithstand the weight of a user and, in a preferred embodiment, isconstructed from one or more molded plastics, such as polyethylene,polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and/orpolyurethane. Other suitable materials may include, e.g., otherplastics, wood, metal, ceramic, stone, fiberglass, glass, concrete,brick, cement block, and combinations of any of the foregoing materials.

It should be understood that a golf-training balance board consistentwith embodiments of the present invention can be used by bothleft-handed and right-handed golfers alike. Such a balance board can beused to train a golfer to align his or her golf swing along a certainaxis or plane and to assist a golfer in balancing his or her golf swing.A golf-training balance board consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention also permits a golfer to practice his or her swing either withor without hitting a golf ball and can be used on a variety of indoorand outdoor surfaces, including grass, artificial turf, dirt, sand,clay, wood, rubber, and concrete. A golf-training balance boardconsistent with embodiments of the present invention can also be usedfor balance training with chipping, pitching, and putting clubs and issuitable for use on a golf course, not only on the fairway and greens,but also in sand traps and other hazard areas.

Advantageously, a golf-training balance board consistent withembodiments of the present invention permits a golfer to receive instantfeedback based on the feel of his or her swing, while the club is beingswung. Thus, once the balance board is placed on the ground and alignedwith a target, the golfer does not need to lift his or her head to lookin any particular direction, as in the case of prior-art devices thatrely on a golfer's own visual acuity, and can keep his or head in aproper position facing down, fixed on the ball.

An exemplary method for practicing a golf swing consistent with oneembodiment of the present invention involves the user standing on abalance board and performing at least a portion of the golf swing whilestanding on the balance board. If the user performs the portion of thegolf swing while maintaining the user's front-to-rear weightdistribution within a threshold range, then the balance board maintainsa balanced orientation. If the user performs the portion of the golfswing without maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight distributionwithin the threshold range, then the balance board tilts either forwardor rearward to indicate to the user that the user's front-to-rear weightdistribution is outside the threshold range.

An exemplary method for teaching a golf swing to a user involves havingthe user stand on a balance board and having the user perform at least aportion of the golf swing while standing on the balance board. If theuser performs the portion of the golf swing while maintaining the user'sfront-to-rear weight distribution within a threshold range, then thebalance board maintains a balanced orientation. If the user performs theportion of the golf swing without maintaining the user's front-to-rearweight distribution within the threshold range, then the balance boardtilts either forward or rearward to indicate to the user that the user'sfront-to-rear weight distribution is outside the threshold range.

In alternative embodiments of balance board 100, a carrying handle couldbe formed near a different one of elongated parallel planar sides 102(or at some other location), or handles could be formed near both ofelongated parallel planar sides 102.

A balance board consistent with embodiments of the present invention, asdescribed herein, may have utility for applications and physicalactivities other than golf, and the use of such a balance board shouldnot be construed as limited to golf-swing training.

It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods setforth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the orderdescribed, and the order of the steps of such methods should beunderstood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may beincluded in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined,in methods consistent with various embodiments of the present invention.

Although the elements in the following method claims are recited in aparticular sequence with corresponding labeling, unless the claimrecitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing someor all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended tobe limited to being implemented in that particular sequence.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarilymutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term“implementation.”

It should be understood that various changes in the details, materials,and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustratedin order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asexpressed in the following claims.

1. A balance board comprising: a body generally having length, width,and thickness dimensions, wherein: the thickness is substantiallysmaller than each of the length and the width; the body has top andbottom surfaces at opposite ends of the thickness of the body; the topsurface has left and right portions at opposing sides of the length ofthe body; and the top surface has front and rear portions at opposingsides of the width of the body; and one or more rockers extending fromthe bottom surface of the body, wherein: the body is supported in abalanced orientation if (a) the balance board is positioned with the oneor more rockers in contact with a substantially horizontal groundsurface and (b) force is applied (1) equally or unequally to the frontand rear portions of the body up to a force-differential threshold valueand (2) equally or unequally to the left and right portions of the body;and the body is not supported in the balanced orientation if (a) thebalance board is placed with at least one of the one or more rockers incontact with the substantially horizontal ground surface and (b) forceis applied (1) unequally to the front and rear portions of the bodygreater than the force-differential threshold value and (2) equally orunequally to the left and right portions of the body.
 2. The inventionof claim 1, wherein the body is supported in the balanced orientation if(a) the balance board is positioned with the one or more rockers incontact with the substantially horizontal ground surface and (b) forceis applied (1) equally or unequally to the front and rear portions ofthe body up to the force-differential threshold value and (2) unequallyto the left and right portions of the body with any force differential.3. The invention of claim 1, wherein, if the balance board is placedwith the one or more rockers in contact with the substantiallyhorizontal ground surface in the balanced orientation, the one or morerockers contact the ground surface at least two different locationsalong the width of the body.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein: theat least two different locations of contact along the width of the bodydefine a foremost location and a rearmost location along the width ofthe body; and the width of the body extends forward beyond the foremostlocation and rearward beyond the rearmost location.
 5. The invention ofclaim 4, wherein the one or more rockers comprise: a first rocker that,in the balanced orientation, contacts the ground surface at the foremostlocation; and a second rocker that, in the balanced orientation,contacts the ground surface at the rearmost location.
 6. The inventionof claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second rockers has acurvilinear form having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel tothe length of the body.
 7. The invention of claim 4, wherein the one ormore rockers comprise a single rocker that, in the balanced orientation,simultaneously contacts the ground surface at both the foremost locationand the rearmost location.
 8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the oneor more rockers comprise first and second rockers that, in the balancedorientation, contact the ground surface at different locations along thewidth of the body.
 9. The invention of claim 8, wherein at least one ofthe first and second rockers has a truncated cylindrical form having alongitudinal axis substantially parallel to the length of the body. 10.The invention of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and secondrockers comprises two or more aligned discontinuous segments, eachsegment contacting the ground surface, in the balanced orientation, atsubstantially the same location along the width of the body.
 11. Theinvention of claim 1, wherein the one or more rockers comprise a singlerocker that, in the balanced orientation, contacts the ground surface atdifferent locations along the width of the body.
 12. The invention ofclaim 1, wherein: the top surface has one or more sets of grooves; thebody has an aperture defining a carrying handle; and the bottom surfacehas one or more recesses.
 13. The invention of claim 1, wherein the oneor more rockers define a rectilinear region of contact with the groundsurface, the rectilinear region having a width substantially parallel tothe width of the body and smaller than the foot length of an averagehuman adult.
 14. The invention of claim 13, wherein the rectilinearregion has a length substantially parallel to and substantially equal tothe length of the body.
 15. A method for practicing a golf swing by auser, the method comprising: (a) standing on a balance board; and (b)performing at least a portion of the golf swing while standing on thebalance board, wherein: if the user performs the portion of the golfswing while maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight distributionwithin a threshold range, then the balance board maintains a balancedorientation; and if the user performs the portion of the golf swingwithout maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight distribution withinthe threshold range, then the balance board tilts either forward orrearward to indicate to the user that the user's front-to-rear weightdistribution is outside the threshold range.
 16. The invention of claim15, wherein the balance board maintains the balanced orientationindependent of the user's left-to-right weight distribution.
 17. Amethod for teaching a golf swing to a user, the method comprising: (a)having the user stand on a balance board; and (b) having the userperform at least a portion of the golf swing while standing on thebalance board, wherein: if the user performs the portion of the golfswing while maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight distributionwithin a threshold range, then the balance board maintains a balancedorientation; and if the user performs the portion of the golf swingwithout maintaining the user's front-to-rear weight distribution withinthe threshold range, then the balance board tilts either forward orrearward to indicate to the user that the user's front-to-rear weightdistribution is outside the threshold range.
 18. The invention of claim17, wherein the balance board maintains the balanced orientationindependent of the user's left-to-right weight distribution.